Lava Rock beads are literally made from cooled down molten rock (Basalt, an igneous rock). In order for rock to melt, it has to reach temperatures as high as 1,000 degrees Celsius beneath a volcano.
When a volcano erupts, red hot molten rock spills out of the volcano and flows away as lava until it becomes cool, solid, porous and black.
Ok...So what is the truth behind dyed lava rocks?
Some manufacturers use cheap dyes or glazes on their beads which can cause bleeding of dyes unto your skin or clothes when essential oils are placed unto the bead. It is best to ask your supplier or retailer if they have tested the beads themselves for bleeding.
We ourselves test one bead from every dyed strand we get to make sure of its quality.
Ok so here is the low down on the high quality beads...
- Which last the longest with scent?
- Which last the shortest?
Smooth lava rock beads work best with oil absorption. They soak up oil quickly and will not bleed or lose any color of the dye. However, they lose their scent the fastest and will have little to no scent at all after a week.
Waxed/natural lava rock takes the longest to absorb oil. The oil lays on the surface of the bead and doesn’t begin to really absorb product until at least an hour later. However, they hold their scent the longest and will hold a bit of it after a week.